New York Red Bulls

After claiming six points from a two-match homestand, the Crew began a three-match road swing and thus far has captured three additional points from the first two matches ... after hitting a snag in a defeat away to New England on October 4, the club completed a two-goal comeback in defeating Philadelphia last weekend ... the trip concluded this weekend with the club’s second trip to Red Bull Arena in 2014 ... following this match, the Crew is set to close-out its 2014 regular season with a home date against the Union on Sunday, October 26.

POGATETZ DEBUTS

Discovery Signing Emanuel Pogatetz made his club debut last weekend in Philadelphia, recording seven minutes off the bench to help the Black & Gold close-out the 3-1 victory ... a veteran of the Austrian National Team, the Barclays Premier League and the German Bundesliga, Pogatetz signed with Columbus on September 9.

LOCKED AND LOADED

By virtue of Justin Meram’s goal in Philadelphia, the Crew became one of just five MLS clubs to boast three players with eight goals each in 2014 ... the full list is below:

Following last Friday’s 1-1 draw in Colorado, the Crew enters this week riding a four-match unbeaten streak dating back to June 4 against Real Salt Lake ... in that time, the team has played to four consecutive draws in MLS action ... the team has never had a five-match streak of consecutive draws in club history.

BACK TO NEW JERSEY

Saturday’s match is a homecoming trip to New Jersey for Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter, who grew up in the Garden State ... the Englewood native took to the field in his home state as a player on two occassions in regular-season MLS action ... in 2009, he played with the Galaxy at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford and then played at Red Bull Arena in its first year of matches in 2010.

... FRANCIS, GONZALEZ TO MEET TEAM ON THE ROAD THIS WEEKEND

Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter told the press on Tuesday that Giancarlo Gonzalez and Waylon Francis plan to meet the team out East following Costa Rican celebrations for the team’s success in the 2014 FIFA World Cup ... Gonzalez last played MLS action on May 17 at Portland while Francis departed ahead of that trip and last took the field in League play on May 10 against Portland.

HIGUAIN’S 2013 AGAINST NEW YORK

Federico Higuain scored three goals in three total games against New York in 2013 ... his 74th-minute penalty kick was critical in the 2-2 draw at Red Bull Arena on May 26 and his brace in the last meeting between the two teams in 2013 included one of his most memorable goals in a Crew uniform, chipping goalkeeper Luis Robles.

MLSsoccer.com's Dan Haiek and Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle preview the Saturday evening match between the Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls. Is Roy Miller the best left back in MLS? Do the Red Bulls have an answer for the overlapping Columbus fullbacks? Find out Saturday at 730 p.m. ET on MLS Live.

The Crew travels to New England for a crucial Eastern Conference battle with the Revolution on Saturday with both sides' playoff hopes on the line. The match will be the second of three meetings this season between the two MLS Charter Members as the Revs topped the Black & Gold, 2-0 at Crew Stadium. Here is a look back at the prior meeting this season.

Fresh off the heels of scoring against his most recent former team, the Chicago Fire, Crew forward Dominic Oduro is set to square-off against another one of his old clubs, FC Dallas, on Sunday. Here is a look at how the journeyman forward has fared against his past teammates throughout his career.

Club

Career Matches Since Departing Club

Goals

Assists

FC Dallas

6

0

2

New York Red Bulls

9

2*

1

Houston Dynamo

8

1

2*

Chicago Fire

3

1*

0

*Oduro has recorded one goal vs. NYRB, one assist vs. Houston Dynamo and one goal vs. Chicago Fire in 2013 with the Crew